How to Vote and Track Your Ballot in North Dakota

En español | North Dakota is the only state that doesn’t require voter registration. Any registered voter may cast an absentee/mail ballot, but only some counties offer early in-person voting.

The 2022 midterms decided races for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, state Legislature and several state offices. The next statewide election is in 2024, with municipal elections being held that same year.

• Upcoming elections: Visit the secretary of state’s website for information about upcoming statewide elections. 
  
• Absentee voting: North Dakota lets any eligible voter request an absentee/mail ballot and vote from home. 
  
• Early in-person voting: County commissions decide whether to offer early in-person voting. Dates and times vary among counties.
  
• Voting at the polls: You must provide acceptable identification that includes your name, current residential address and date of birth. If your ID doesn’t include your address, you can supplement it with another document.

Redistricting in 2021 has redrawn the boundaries of certain state House and Senate districts. A lawsuit over the new legislative districts is pending.

North Dakota does not require voter registration. Any eligible voter (U.S. citizens 18-plus who live in North Dakota and have lived in a specific precinct for at least 30 days) may vote if they provide acceptable identification. Options include a state-issued driver’s license, nondriver’s ID card, tribal ID or long-term care ID certificate.

No, but voters may only cast ballots for candidates from one political party in the primary.

Any eligible voter in North Dakota may request an absentee/mail ballot. You’ll need to submit a new application each year, but you can choose to receive them for multiple elections in that year if your address does not change.
 


Apply for an absentee ballot by mail or in person. 

• By mail: Complete the absentee/mail ballot application online, then print the form and mail it to your county auditor.

• In person: Visit your county auditor's office. Mark and return your ballot while there, or take it home and return it by mail or in person.

You can also fax your absentee ballot application or attach a scanned copy to an email and send it to your county auditor’s office. 

Mail your absentee ballot application at least 10 days in advance of Election Day; otherwise it is recommended to hand-deliver your ballot to avoid mail delays.

• By mail: The return envelope must be postmarked with proper postage and arrive at your county auditor’s office by the deadlines listed at Vote.ND.Gov.
  
  
• In person: Deliver your ballot to your county auditor’s office or a drop box, if available. Drop box locations will be listed at Vote.ND.Gov under the "County Drop Boxes" tab.

• Through an agent: Someone else can return your ballot for you if you submit an Agent Authorization request form. You can only act as an agent for four other voters per election.

Yes — use the state’s absentee/mail ballot tracker.

County commissions decide whether to offer early in-person voting. Locations, dates and times will be available at Vote.ND.Gov closer to an election. Enter your address and zip code into the “My Voting Information” sidebar.

Check when and where to cast your ballot on the state's "My Voting Information" portal.

Yes. Identification must include your name, current North Dakota residential address and date of birth. A state-issued driver’s license, nondriver’s ID card, tribal ID or long-term care ID certificate is acceptable.

If your ID does not include your residential address or date of birth, or your residential address is not current, you can supplement the ID with another document, such as a current utility bill, current bank statement or a check. 

If you are unable to show a valid form of ID but qualify to vote, you can mark a ballot that will be securely set aside. You must then either present valid ID at the polling place on Election Day or at your county auditor’s office by the deadline listed at Vote.ND.Gov.

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on Nov. 23 with more information about voting in North Dakota. The guide was first published on July 20, 2020. 

• Follow AARP's political coverage at aarp.org/elections  
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at states.aarp.org/north-dakota